Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (Japan Version)

as Puffy AmiYumi
Original Animation Soundtrack (Japan) / Stereo

Ki/oon KSCL 820

Released May 11, 2005

Produced by Andy Sturmer (M-1-5, 7, 11, 13-16)
Tamio Okuda (M-8-10, 12)
Tetsutaro Sakurai (M-6)

Highest Chart Ranking: #49
Weeks on Chart: 4

Obviously, this is the Japanese counterpart to the U.S. release of the same name. The cover art for this version is better than the U.S. album, though - and it would end up becoming the main backdrop image for their concerts (especially in the U.S.). Being a Japanese CD, it has bonus tracks added to the original U.S. track listing, though it's only a couple of instrumental mixes.

The disc is still in print, and available from most online retailers.

Track Listing

1. Hi Hi (words: Puffy AmiYumi & Andy Sturmer/music: Andy Sturmer) (2:55)
2. Friends Forever (words & music: Andy Sturmer) (4:00)
3. Planet Tokyo (words & music: Andy Sturmer) (3:50)
4. Joining A Fan Club (words & music: Andy Sturmer & Roger Manning) (4:00)
5. Forever (words: Andy Sturmer & Puffy/music: Andy Sturmer) (2:29)
6. V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N (words & music: Konishi Yasuharu) (3:30)
7. Love So Pure (words & music: Andy Sturmer) (3:57)
8. True Asia ('Asia no Junshin') (words: Yosui Inoue/music: Tamio Okuda) (4:39)
9. Boogie-Woogie No. 5 (words & music: Tamio Okuda) (4:10)
10. That's The Way It Is ('Kore ga Watashi no Ikirumichi') (words & music: Tamio Okuda) (3:19)
11. Sunrise (words: Puffy AmiYumi/music: Andy Sturmer) (3:55)
12. Into The Beach ('Umi eto') (words & music: Tamio Okuda) (3:12)
13. December (words: Puffy AmiYumi/music: Andy Sturmer) (4:22)
14. Teen Titans Theme (words & music: Andy Sturmer) (3:06)
15. Hi Hi (TV Mix) (words: Puffy AmiYumi & Andy Sturmer/music: Andy Sturmer) (2:59)
16. Teen Titans Theme (TV Mix) (words & music: Andy Sturmer) (3:06)

Tracks 1, 15, 16 previously unreleased
Track 8 from amiyumi
Track 6 from solosolo
Track 10 from Jet CD
Tracks 9, 12, 13 from Spike
Track 7 from Atarashii Hibi CD single and Spike (U.S. Version)
Track 3 from Akai Buranko CD single and Nice. (U.S. Version)
Track 14 from Nice. (U.S. Version) and 59
Tracks 4, 5, 11 from 59
Track 2 from Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed original soundtrack

Notes:

• Ami plays the guitar solo on 'Friends Forever'.
• Unlike the U.S. version, the Japanese version of this album comes with a lyric sheet.
• The picture of Yumi and Ami on the back of the jewel case is larger than it is on the U.S. version of the album.
• The CD is enhanced with bonus content - an MPEG video of the opening to Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.
• Several tracks on this album - including 'Joining A Fan Club' and 'Love So Pure' - have been remixed. This is very evident when listening to 'Love So Pure', especially at the beginning of the second verse. In the original version, the drums dropped out for several seconds before resuming playing. That does not happen in the version on this album (i.e. the drums don't drop out of the mix).
• 'Friends Forever' is the same song as both 'Invisible Tomorrow' and 'So Long Zero,' though edited slightly and with different lyrics.
• 'Friends Forever' was originally released on the soundtrack to the movie Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
• 'Joining A Fan Club' is a cover of a song originally done by Jellyfish, Andy Sturmer's old band (available on their second album, Spilt Milk).
• The musical backing of “Asia no Junshin” (the descending guitar line in particular) is similar to the old ELO hit “Don't Bring Me Down”.
• 'Teen Titans Theme' is reminiscent of the theme song to the TV series 'Secret Agent Man'.
• The 'TV Mixes' of both 'Hi Hi' and 'Teen Titans Theme' are merely karaoke/backing tracks, with the lead vocals wiped.

Other

• Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi / PUFFY AMIYUMI at CDJapan
• Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi at YesAsia
• Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi at Amazon.co.jp